Car accident news
19/05/2009

Taxi driver sentenced for dangerous driving

A taxi driver who drove recklessly and risked passenger injury to five school-aged children has been jailed for six months by a judge at Peterborough Magistrates' Court. Although the 33-year-old did not cause a car accident, the judge said that the gravity of his driving offences left him with little option but to order a custodial sentence.

The court heard how in February of this year the taxi driver was taking the children from their school in Peterborough to the village of Elton when he ignored the warning lights at a level crossing, overtaking another vehicle and shooting under the barriers, perhaps only narrowly avoiding a fatal car accident.

During interview with police, the children, all aged under 10, recounted how they felt "dizzy, scared and terrified" that a car accident might occur.

Ignoring the pleas of the defendant's solicitor, the judge ordered a six-month prison sentence, saying, "You were a taxi driver and the safety of your passengers should have been your primary consideration."You had five young children in your car and as a result of your driving, they were put under considerable fear and distress."

It is not known whether any no win, no fee PTSD claims will follow the sentencing.